For Immediate Release

Gaza Protest Set for Saturday Afternoon at Pioneer Courthouse Square

With Oregon’s junior-Senator adding his voice to the calls for “an immediate
and durable ceasefire,”1 Portland’s living room will today again be filled
for a demonstration against the ongoing Israeli attacks in Gaza.  “Over
1,100 people have died, thousands have been grievously injured, and 1.5
million are trapped and terrified that they or their family members might be
next,” said William Seaman, a volunteer with Portland Peaceful Response
Coalition.  “We hope to see and hear enough people demonstrating for peace
today that our other Senator, Senator Ron Wyden, will also feel he can add
his voice to the calls for an immediate ceasefire.”  The demonstration is
set to begin today at 3:00 PM at Pioneer Courthouse Square, SW Yamhill &
Broadway, in downtown Portland.


Yesterday’s editorial in Ha’aretz, one of Israel’s largest daily newspapers,
is titled “Stop the operation.”2  They write that “Three weeks following the
start of Operation Cast Lead, and at least one week too late - it should be
brought to an immediate end.”  Acknowledging that the attacks in Gaza have
“killed hundreds of civilians and injured thousands ...,” they note that
“The UNRWA hospital and food storage facilities that were hit yesterday now
join a list of population centers and power plant, which have already been
struck in the operation.”

“Israelis are beginning to realize that this military campaign has not only
been a vast crime against the innocent people of Gaza, but a catastrophe for
themselves as well,” said Seaman.  “Anybody who dares call themselves a
friend or supporter of Israel must now recognize that not only is there a
moral imperative to demand a ceasefire, for the sake of the 1.5 million
people in Gaza, it is clear now that Israel’s actions have made that country
far less secure, and far more hated, in the world today.”

This Saturday’s demonstration has been called by Americans United for
Palestinian Human Rights, Portland Peaceful Response Coalition, Sabeel North
America, American Jews for a Just Peace, Lutherans for Justice in the Holy
Land - A Ministry of Central Lutheran Church, and others.

For further information, contact Nael Saker This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or (503)
805-0205, Peter Miller at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or (503) 358-7475, or PPRC at
(503) 344-5078 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..  Please visit the AUPHR and PPRC websites
for updates:  www.auphr.org & www.pprc-news.org.

1.  Senator Jeff Merkley’s Statement on Conflict in Gaza, Press Release,
January 16, 2009, contact:  Julie Edwards, 202-225-8841.

2.  Ha’aretz, “Stop the operation”, January 16, 2009.

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